austraLasia - 5676(I)_New Salesian deacon in Hong Kong

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Hong Kong, China, 21 August 2021 -- On 14 August – Saturday, Cl. Peter So Ming Hong was ordained deacon by His Eminence Cardinal Joseph Zen, Bishop Emeritus of Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong, at St. Anthony Parish, Hong Kong. On the same day, we celebrated the 206th Birthday of our Father and Founder, St. John Bosco coupled with the Jubilee Anniversaries – (70th, 60th, 50th, and 25th) of Profession and Ordination of Salesians of Don Bosco and Salesian Cooperators.

Fr. Joseph Ng Chi Yuen – the Provincial of the Salesian of China Province, Fr. Lanfranco Fedrigotti – Cl. Peter's Rector, 4 other priest jubilarians concelebrated this solemn liturgy joined by 17 Salesian priests.

Deacon Peter was born in Hong Kong in 1991. In 2011, he made his first religious profession as a Salesian of Don Bosco in Cebu, Philippines. Then, in 2017 he made his perpetual vows in Hong Kong. He finished his Theology at Fu Jen Faculty of Theology of St. Robert Bellarmine in Taiwan.

Fr. Joseph Ng recommended Cl. Peter to be admitted to the order of deacon, followed by the instructional homily of Cardinal Joseph Zen on the duties of deacons. Afterwards, the newly ordained deacon put on a new deacon stole and dalmatic assisted by his parents.

In his words of gratitude, Deacon Peter explained the image and bible phrases he has chosen for his remembrance card, the “Appearance on the Road to Emmaus” and the bible phrase “A bruised reed he shall not break, and smoking flax he shall not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth” (Isaiah 42:3). This image reflects the current situation of most of the young today. They are lost, discouraged and disappointed, they cannot see the future and hope, but we should let them know the other name of “Jesus” is hope. Jesus chose to walk with everyone, no matter the value of the person. Also the new Deacon thanked his parents for accompanying him through the journey especially when he first chose to enter the seminary. Later he thanked four Salesians who walked with him in these 10 years, the one who encouraged him to response to the call and two lay brothers who taught him how to stay faithful to the mission and the vocation and the secret of preserving his vocation-believing in God which is staying among the young. Last but not least, he expressed his gratitude to the Rector of his community, Fr. Lanfranco, who kept every word and sentence of his sharing in his heart and was willing to spend time to teach and share with him every night when he was in difficulties. He also helped the new Deacon to get to know Jesus again and rediscover how he is being loved by God.